The Texans, after all, have the NFLís worst pass defense headed into Sundayís game at Oakland.

Jackson has become the poster child for the problems largely based on one playóRoy Williamsí 63-yard touchdown in Houstonís 27-13 loss to Dallas last week. After Jackson stumbled at the line, Williams caught an easy slant pass from Tony Romo and sprinted to the end zone.

"Iím going to have to go through adversity sometimes and unfortunately, now is that time for me," said Jackson, Houstonís first-round pick from Alabama. "I think I just need to go out this week and have a good weekend and just apply everything in practice to the game. I think Iíll be able to bounce back."

Houston coach Gary Kubiak knew the risks when he named Jackson the starter in training camp over a group of more seasoned veterans. Asomugha thinks Kubiak is doing the right thing because Jackson needs game experience more than practice.

"Obviously, heís going to feel terrible about it because he wants to be perfect and he wants to be a great player," Asomugha said. "I think you have to be thrown in the fire and you have to have those rough plays, because those are the plays you learn from. If he sticks with and continues to work hard, heíll start to see it turn around at some point because it always does. Itís just a matter of being patient."

Jackson wants to seek out Asomugha after Sundayís game and ask for advice. Like Jackson, Asomugha was a first-round pick (in 2003), but he didnít become a full-time cornerback until his third season.

"This guy has the benefit of playing corner as a rookie," Asomugha said. "Heís going to be able to improve a lot sooner than I was able to."

Jackson canít bear all the blame for Houstonís problems in pass coverage

I am as critical of our secondary as anyone. That said, I believe exactly what ASO thinks about KJ. It's gonna be tough to watch at times, but I think KJ can be good, maybe even real good. Until then, we are ALL going to have to accept the "growing pains"......

DBCooper

09-30-2010, 09:44 PM

I wish KJ would seek his advice BEFORE the game.

BigBull17

10-01-2010, 08:22 AM

I wish KJ would seek his advice BEFORE the game.

Haha. I wish we would trade for him after the game.

kiwitexansfan

10-01-2010, 08:28 AM

too bad opposition QBs aren't.

gtexan02

10-01-2010, 10:03 AM

Pretty sad when your rookies have to seek out veterans on other teams for mentorship and advice. I guess thats what happens when your veteran cornerbacks are in their 2nd year.

Going young with loads of potential is a big risk. You lose all the veteran guidance/leadership

El Tejano

10-01-2010, 10:16 AM

Lets get an INT this week.

barrett

10-01-2010, 02:58 PM

the CB's are feeling the pressure because last week Tony Romo wasn't. The Cowboys beat us using max-protect schemes (http://www.texansbullblog.com/film-study-texans-outcoached-outschemed-dallas/news/) and it left the CB's exposed 1 on 1 with a bunch of LB's sitting in the middle of the field watching it go up in flames.

Loosing 2 of our 3 best pass rushers (Barwin & Cushing) has been a very difficult challenge. Getting Brian Cushing back in a week is going to really help the secondary.

Cushing, like Barwin, is a very dynamic player who can do many things. This free's up the defense to be more creative and should allow for more pressure.

Dwade

10-01-2010, 03:42 PM

too bad opposition QBs aren't.

:clap:

Rey

10-01-2010, 03:49 PM

It's funny that ASO says that, because Gradkowski said the same thing...

thunderkyss

10-01-2010, 03:54 PM

Pretty sad when your rookies have to seek out veterans on other teams for mentorship and advice. I guess thats what happens when your veteran cornerbacks are in their 2nd year.

Going young with loads of potential is a big risk. You lose all the veteran guidance/leadership

You don't need to be a cornerback to provide guidance & leadership.

Rey

10-01-2010, 04:00 PM

You don't need to be a cornerback to provide guidance & leadership.

It helps though.

Having someone there who has been through situations similar to yours can be beneficial.

badboy

10-01-2010, 05:04 PM

KJ stumbled? BWHAHAHAHA! He got schooled by a vet WR. It happens but call it like it is.

Ryan

10-01-2010, 06:01 PM

So we don't get pressure on a QB during one game and it becomes the norm? Never heard of such.

awtysst

10-01-2010, 06:05 PM

Pretty sad when your rookies have to seek out veterans on other teams for mentorship and advice. I guess thats what happens when your veteran cornerbacks are in their 2nd year.

Going young with loads of potential is a big risk. You lose all the veteran guidance/leadership

True, but you want positive leadership. i would rather not have DR mentoring anyone. Bennett cannot be a mentor either. Perhaps Reeves could have been decent as a mentor.

infantrycak

10-01-2010, 06:36 PM

True, but you want positive leadership. i would rather not have DR mentoring anyone. Bennett cannot be a mentor either. Perhaps Reeves could have been decent as a mentor.

Yup, people act like any vet can and will provide valuable veteran leadership but it just isn't true. Aaron Glenn is the kind of guy you might keep an extra year or two for veteran leadership. Dunta Robinson is not.

beerlover

10-01-2010, 06:41 PM

Kareem can mentor under Nnamdi Asomugha on the sidelines in Oakland Sunday :D

hradhak

10-01-2010, 06:59 PM

KJ's learning curve is going to be that much steeper because there's no one to mentor him. He still has the tools to be good, so I'm not worried. If Aso wants to come over here and tutor KJ indefinitely, I'm not opposed to that either :-)

thunderkyss

10-01-2010, 07:24 PM

KJ's learning curve is going to be that much steeper because there's no one to mentor him. He still has the tools to be good, so I'm not worried. If Aso wants to come over here and tutor KJ indefinitely, I'm not opposed to that either :-)

There is no reason to believe KJ can't learn to be a pro by following the lead of guys like Pollard, Wilson, Demeco, Diles, Mario, Antonio, etc...

He does have a coach to teach him the minutia about being a DB. Someone to help him become a better Corner.

The main thing he has to learn, is to bring his A game everyday, including practice. This is a game, they should have fun, but it's a job. He has a responsibility to his team-mates and the fans.

I'm sure he's going to develop just fine.

TheIronDuke

10-01-2010, 11:12 PM

KJ's learning curve is going to be that much steeper because there's no one to mentor him. He still has the tools to be good, so I'm not worried. If Aso wants to come over here and tutor KJ indefinitely, I'm not opposed to that either :-)

Does the guy need a freaking binky too? You've got coaching, game experience, and a collegiate career behind you. Don't know why he'd need some grizzled vet teaching him the ropes. Welcome to the NFL, hope you get better Kareem because you have been getting smoked.

Brisco_County

10-01-2010, 11:47 PM

This is why rookie CB's normally play only special teams. KJ not only played on defense his rookie year, but he's also starting. Very few rookie CB's would look competent in that situation.

There is no reason to believe KJ can't learn to be a pro by following the lead of guys like Pollard, Wilson, Demeco, Diles, Mario, Antonio, etc...

He does have a coach to teach him the minutia about being a DB. Someone to help him become a better Corner.

The main thing he has to learn, is to bring his A game everyday, including practice. This is a game, they should have fun, but it's a job. He has a responsibility to his team-mates and the fans.

I'm sure he's going to develop just fine.

You are reaching here. A rookie rb's learning curve outside of blocking is so much less than it is for a cb. Not really a good comparison. RB seems to be one of easiest positions to plug and play in the NFL.

swtbound07

10-02-2010, 12:37 AM

the CB's are feeling the pressure because last week Tony Romo wasn't. The Cowboys beat us using max-protect schemes (http://www.texansbullblog.com/film-study-texans-outcoached-outschemed-dallas/news/) and it left the CB's exposed 1 on 1 with a bunch of LB's sitting in the middle of the field watching it go up in flames.

Loosing 2 of our 3 best pass rushers (Barwin & Cushing) has been a very difficult challenge. Getting Brian Cushing back in a week is going to really help the secondary.

Cushing, like Barwin, is a very dynamic player who can do many things. This free's up the defense to be more creative and should allow for more pressure.

Wait...when did we decide that barwin is a dynamic player? I have him listed under "sucks really really really bad" in my files. One of our 3 best pass rushers? thats an indictment on how bad we are, nothing more.

Jeff S.

10-02-2010, 01:24 AM

I have him listed under "sucks really really really bad" in my files.

"You have him listed"? Cool. What NFL organizations have you worked for, btw?

Brisco_County

10-02-2010, 01:44 AM

Wait...when did we decide that barwin is a dynamic player? I have him listed under "sucks really really really bad" in my files. One of our 3 best pass rushers? thats an indictment on how bad we are, nothing more.

If he sucks that bad, how would you rate the other DE's that came out of that draft class? Barwin has more sacks than any of them by a longshot.

barrett

10-02-2010, 12:09 PM

Wait...when did we decide that barwin is a dynamic player? I have him listed under "sucks really really really bad" in my files. One of our 3 best pass rushers? thats an indictment on how bad we are, nothing more.

He's dynamic because he had 4 1/2 sacks as a rookie who has only played the position for 2 years, can line up in a 3 point stance, rush standing up, line up at DT and drop into coverage and pursue the play from the backside. What else do you need as an example?

He was coming into his second year. It was a huge loss for the Texans. His absence completely altered the defensive scheme. Brian Cushing will allow them to do some of the more complicated things that they want to do upon his return. He is also a dynamic player.

thunderkyss

10-02-2010, 12:19 PM

He's dynamic because he had 4 1/2 sacks as a rookie who has only played the position for 2 years, can line up in a 3 point stance, rush standing up, line up at DT and drop into coverage and pursue the play from the backside. What else do you need as an example?

In the few games Jesse Nading has been in this year, he has done a commendable job in all those areas. He's gotten in on several QB hurries, pressures, and has got one half a sack.

Maybe getting cut a third time(??) lit that fire.

thunderkyss

10-02-2010, 12:37 PM

You are reaching here. A rookie rb's learning curve outside of blocking is so much less than it is for a cb. Not really a good comparison. RB seems to be one of easiest positions to plug and play in the NFL.

I'm not reaching, like it's been said before, Jackson having to learn the ropes without the benefits of Jaques Reeves' (or Dunta Robinson's for that matter) words of wisdom if anything is only slightly worse than letting him learn with their help.

It's not Jaques was a model pro, or consumate starter. In hindsight, it looks like a mistake we ever signed him for the money we paid.

& Dunta's tutelage is not worth $10 mill. It's not like Dunta would have stopped any of those plays we've seen Kareem get burned on. The big pass to Galloway... would Dunta not have bit on the fake pitch then the fake reverse? That's how Galloway got open, & we've seen Dunta bite on many a fake & not get back in time to cover. That's what happened in Cinci last year, when OchoCinco was wide open, but missed that deep ball.

Do we think he wouldn't have fallen down when Roy Williams beat KJ at the line? It's been so rare that I've seen Dunta press anyone, that I really can't say. I've seen him fall down several times, a couple where the receiver made the catch.

Personally, I think people need to forget about the yards we're giving up (though we didn't give up "a bunch of yards" to Dallas) & watch the kid play. He looks good to me. Many of the yards given up are to zone coverages, where neither he or Quin, or even McCain is at fault.

Looks like we expect our CBs to be perfect, and nobody has perfect corners (save maybe Oakland & NYJets).

Washington is supposed to have a good secondary, Carlos Rodgers, DeAngelo Hall, & Laron Landry. They still got beat for 500 yards.

I'm more upset, that Demeco, Diles, & Adibi have been in the league much longer, and can't keep TEs & FBs from running wild. Sure they were some pretty good TEs & FBs..... but we're supposed to be good (the best LB corp) at LB ourselves... we even say we're deep at times, but don't have an answer for the Cooley, Clark, or Witten.

DBCooper

10-02-2010, 02:04 PM

Does the guy need a freaking binky too? You've got coaching, game experience, and a collegiate career behind you. Don't know why he'd need some grizzled vet teaching him the ropes. Welcome to the NFL, hope you get better Kareem because you have been getting smoked.

Experience is golden.

It is huge to have someone share their experience so you don't make the same mistakes, someone on the field with you talking to you every snap in practice and during the game.

Goatcheese

10-02-2010, 04:15 PM

Experience is golden.

It is huge to have someone share their experience so you don't make the same mistakes, someone on the field with you talking to you every snap in practice and during the game.

In 2004 you could see Glenn coaching up D-Rob on the field, making sure he knew his assignment, adjusting his positioning, telling him where he went wrong or could have done better on the previous play, etc.

A coach isn't going to be able to do that until you get to the sideline, or even until they review the film and talk to you during meetings/practice days later.

It can even be helpful to have a pro bowl corner come up after you get torched for a long TD and say, "Man I remember when that happened to me when I was young."

Having a guy you can look up to walk up, pat you on the back and say "you'll get 'em next time," can mean a lot. I think that's better than Jackson standing on the sideline by himself fuming and throwing his helmet.

barrett

10-02-2010, 04:27 PM

In the few games Jesse Nading has been in this year, he has done a commendable job in all those areas. He's gotten in on several QB hurries, pressures, and has got one half a sack.

Maybe getting cut a third time(??) lit that fire.

We've got some video of Nading doing his very best ragdoll impersonation. Very realistic. He just doesn't have the physical gifts that Barwin has. He isn't strong enough at the point of attack. He can't shed blocks. He's not fast enough when he's dropping. You're right that he has had some production but at the end of the day he's just not going to be effective enough to merit having him on the field in place of someone who can generate pressure. Barwin isn't special as a pass rusher either, (yet) but he was more effective than Nading. I just don't think the dropoff in productivity is enough to validate having him on the field. I'm not suggesting they cut the guy. Give him some time, see if he improves. But if Ogunleye is going to be up it's going to be in place of someone. Either Nading or Denney will be down.

Bothe Denney and Ogunleye have a better chance of being effective pass rushers than Nading does of being an effective Barwin replacement.

drs23

10-02-2010, 05:31 PM

We've got some video of Nading doing his very best ragdoll impersonation. Very realistic. He just doesn't have the physical gifts that Barwin has. He isn't strong enough at the point of attack. He can't shed blocks. He's not fast enough when he's dropping. You're right that he has had some production but at the end of the day he's just not going to be effective enough to merit having him on the field in place of someone who can generate pressure. Barwin isn't special as a pass rusher either, (yet) but he was more effective than Nading. I just don't think the dropoff in productivity is enough to validate having him on the field. I'm not suggesting they cut the guy. Give him some time, see if he improves. But if Ogunleye is going to be up it's going to be in place of someone. Either Nading or Denney will be down.

Bothe Denney and Ogunleye have a better chance of being effective pass rushers than Nading does of being an effective Barwin replacement.

So do feel Jamison would've done a better job? I know DM mentioned that he leaned that way.

gary

10-02-2010, 06:15 PM

The Texans have who they have and must live with it untill things get better by making the best of it. Or sign a decent vet to the roster somehow.

Cerberus

10-02-2010, 06:41 PM

Pretty sad when your rookies have to seek out veterans on other teams for mentorship and advice. I guess thats what happens when your veteran cornerbacks are in their 2nd year.

Going young with loads of potential is a big risk. You lose all the veteran guidance/leadership

No, it isn't. Nnamdi Asomugha is special beyond that which he does on the playing field. Not only is he the best cover corner in the NFL bar none, sorry Darrelle, he is also a great individual.